DiNapoli: Stimulus Money For Rochester Area
Highways Being Spent Right

An audit by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli of Rochester area highway projects funded with federal stimulus moneys shows that local governments properly bid the construction contracts – and took the steps necessary to ensure the contractors were able to do the job. The audit is part of DiNapoli’s ongoing initiative to monitor New York’s use of federal stimulus money to protect the funding from waste, fraud and abuse.

“So far so good,” said DiNapoli, “Local governments receiving federal stimulus moneys are making sure they’re hiring contractors who will get the job done at the best possible price. We’ll continue to watch how stimulus funds are being used. We’re going to protect taxpayer dollars and make sure every stimulus dime counts.”

The audit, which examined how effectively localities are using federal stimulus funds, reviewed 18 projects by the 12 municipalities, totaling $14.5 million covering the period of March to November 2009. The audit looked at Monroe, Orleans, Genesee, Wyoming, Livingston, Ontario, and Wayne counties, as well as the cities of Rochester and Canandaigua; villages of Geneseo and Dansville; and the Town of Arcadia.

DiNapoli’s auditors found that the local governments followed sound procurement procedures when awarding contracts funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). Specifically, all 12 local governments audited adhered to bidding laws and appropriately awarded their ARRA highway projects to the lowest responsible bidders. In addition to bidding its first project, Wayne County saved tax dollars by working with a state contract vendor for its second project. Auditors also found that the local governments had taken appropriate measures to ensure responsible vendors were awarded contracts.

In addition to auditing different aspects of local governments’ use of stimulus funds, DiNapoli has created a website
(http://www.openbooknewyork.com/stimulus) to allow taxpayers to track contracts and spending related to New York’s share of federal stimulus funds. DiNapoli has also assigned staff to track, review and audit all stimulus fund related contracts and spending.

The audit was conducted according to Generally Accepted Government Accounting Standards.